International Music & Dance Festival Back At The New Rochelle Library

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Once again this summer, the New Rochelle Public Library is ready to explore the diverse cultures of the world with you — no passports required.

The New Rochelle Public Library (NRPL) and The Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library just announced the return of the renowned International Music and Dance Festival on Tuesday, July 11. The highly anticipated festival will feature weekly live performances every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., from July 11 - August 15, in the Ossie Davis Theater at the library. The library says that the six-week festival will be a captivating showcase of diverse music and dance performances representing cultures from around the world.

"We are thrilled to once again bring the International Music and Dance Festival to the New Rochelle community," Tom Geoffino, Director of NRPL, said. "For over 20 years, this festival has been a highlight of our summer programming in New Rochelle. We are excited to continue this tradition, offering an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the rich tapestry of cultures from around the globe."

Here's the schedule of the weekly performances:

July 11: Bokandeye African American Dance Theater. "Children and adults alike will be enthralled by the vibrant and captivating history of West Africa portrayed through dance, rhythm, song and theater. This collage of traditional rhythms and dances from the Senegambia Region of West Africa will be brilliantly staged and choreographed to narrate the stories and folklore of the ancient African Villages."

July 18: Israeli Dance with Leng. "This program will highlight both traditional and modern Israeli dance forms, showcasing the beauty, energy, and innovation of this art form's vibrant rhythms and expressive movements."

July 25: Natyamudra School of Indian Dance. They will be "presenting a breathtaking Indian dance performance known as Bharatanatyam — a 3000-year-old dance form considered the oldest of all classical dance forms in India. This ancient art combines Nritta - pure abstract dance and Natya - interpretive dance. Bharatanatyam utilizes extensive hand gestures known as mudras to convey the meaning of the lyrics."

August 1: Aszmara & Transition: Middle-Eastern Ensemble. "The world-renowned dance artist Aszmara will grace the stage in exquisite costumes, accompanied by the folkloric music of Armenia, Turkey and Egypt, performed by master Armenian musicians Robert Boghosian on the oud, Souren Baronain on clarinet, kaval & dooduk, and Mal Stein on doumbek."

August 8: The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY. "You will be transported to the blooming of cherry blossom trees in the spring and the vibrant and joyous celebrations of the summer festival season."

August 15: Calpulli Mexican Dance. "The participants of the Capulli Summer Mexican Dance workshop, adorned in colorful costumes, will celebrate the rich and diverse regional dance traditions of Mexico's cultural history." Note: This program will take place outside on the library's patio, next to Ruby Dee Park.

The first five performances will be in the Ossie Davis Theater of the New Rochelle Public Library, located at 1 Library Plaza. Admission is free, but registration is requested for each event, which can be done online here or by calling 914-813-3706.